While poking around under the hood on my 2001 i30, (3.0 V6) I pulled the vacuum lines (the smaller hoses) off of both fuel pressure regulators and gasoline came out.

Does this indicate that both pressure regulators are bad? I'm 99% sure the answer is yes based on other readings, but I just want to make sure before dropping the MSU's (Murph Spending Units) to buy replacements...

Second question... Thanks to career changes, DaveB is no longer our preferred parts guy. Do we have a new Favorite Parts Guy?

Also, is this one of those "gotta be OEM" replacements, or can I go for aftermarket through RockAuto, etc?

 

I have personally never seen fuel come out of a bad fuel regulator, but sounds like the internals are damaged. I am assuming you've had some idle or acceleration issues given you were messing with the regulator to begin with? If so, fuel in the vaccuum line seems to be confirmation of the issue. If there is fuel in both regulators, I'd replace them both. Even if you've not had drivability issues, I would have to wonder if one or both are on their way out.

I'm sure there are a few good aftermarket regulators. But, something like this....I would personally not want to potentially fool with again. I would go oem.

I highly recommend the guys at www.nissanpartsasap.com. Call them, they are open till about noon even on Saturday. Tell them you're from the forum.

 

Oddly enough no drivability issues, but I have that "hard starting" condition where I have to crank for 5-10 seconds to get the car to start (as I've posted ad nauseum around the forum over the past 2 years as I try everything to solve it)

I'm guessing the ethanol fuel over the past few years ate away at the diaphragms and is what caused them to go out at 70k. Can't wait to see what other rubber items go next.

 

Chris -- I just got off the phone with Ray from Tri-City. What an awesome guy. Not only was he friendly and knowledgeable, but also took the time to consult with some techs and ask some questions before just simply taking my order. I'll do business there again for sure.

I only have one pending question -- what do we know about the fuel pressure dampener? Ray and the techs say that the dampener should have fuel coming from both sides because of how it works, but I've also heard the opposite from another source. (http://forums.maxima.org/8570167-post18.html) How do we decide which one is correct?

 

That's the bad FPR right there.

I replaced mine recently. It's not a sophisticated device like an ignition coil, so you can go aftermarket.

DW

 

I wrote a thread about the same problem. Replace both the fuel pressure regulator and damper.

 

I replaced both regulator and damper today. Took about 2 hours, most of that time was spent running back and forth to the basement to get odd tools.

I thought it was odd that the Factory Service Manual says NOTHING about remove and replacement procedures. Thankfully it was pretty cut and dried once you figure out what's in the way and how to disconnect things.

Chris -- you were right about Ray at Tri-Cities Nissan. He was great. Parts came quickly. decent pricing, and did plenty of legwork for me that was above and beyond.

The car runs like a million bucks now and starts up with a flick of the key instead of 5-10 seconds of cranking.

Thanks everyone!

 

Good to hear things worked out Montego. I didnt do my damper, so I wonder what to expect.

My car does start like a champ though.

Also, I started doing this TC-W3 thing in my fuel tank and my car starts even better, believe it or not.

DW

 

Murph, thanks for the follow up.